7 sentences on geburtstag in german
Answers
1. No one mentions your birthday until it’s your birthday
In Germany, mentioning someone’s birthday before the date is considered bad luck. If your German friends are nice enough to give you a birthday present, don’t open it until your actual day – or at least don’t tell them you opened it before your actual birthday.
If you’re sending someone a gift, make sure to write 'GEBURTSTAG' in all-caps, red-alert style, so they don’t inadvertently open it a few days early and bring unknown horrors upon themselves.
2. You buy your own cake
Given how silent everyone is pre-birthday, you may be tempted to drift right through the day unnoticed. Particularly if you’re at work, things will get awkward around the early afternoon when everyone expects a cake and you don’t deliver. In Germany, this custom is referred to as einen ausgeben.
If your coworker drops by to wish you 'Alles Gutes zum Geburtstag' (all the best for your birthday), the jig is up. You’re going to need to get that cake. Stall for time by requesting a pre-cake cigarette to ponder your advancing age and eventual doom. Many in Germany smoke and are a little morbid, so this won’t seem too out of the ordinary. Sprint out the door to the nearest bakery, buy the first Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (black forest cherry cake) you see, and throw it on the office coffee table before anyone catches on.
3. You organise (and pay for) your own party
There are pros and cons to this one. Cons: Party planning is annoying and buying food and drink for all your friends is a lot of money. And it’s meant to be your birthday